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Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services
(DHHS)
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Divisions of DAIL |
Assistive Technology
Project
Enable Vermonters with disabilities to have greater
independence, productivity, and confidence.
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Blind & Visually Impaired
Helps Vermonters with blindness or
visual impairment work and live independently.
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Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services
Serves individuals with hearing loss to ensure they have equal access to
the services of all departments, divisions and programs within AHS.
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Developmental Services
Helps children and adults with
developmental disabilities and children with health
impairments and/or physical disabilities to live as
independently as possible within their family, home and
community.
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Disability
& Aging
Services
Helps elders and adults with
disabilities to live as independently as possible in the
community.
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Guardianship
Information about public and private guardianship for adults with mental disabilities and alternatives to guardianship.
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Licensing & Protection
Protects vulnerable Vermonters
through licensing of health care providers,
investigating complaints and allegations of abuse,
neglect and exploitation.
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Traumatic Brain Injury Program
Helping Vermonters whose lives have been affected by brain injury; providing education and resources to professionals and others.
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Vocational Rehabilitation
Helps Vermonters with disabilities
prepare for and find employment.
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Vision
All Vermonters regardless of level of hearing
loss shall have access to the full range of services offered at
Agency of Human Service (AHS).
What’s the purpose for Deaf & Hard of
Hearing Services?
- There are 625,935 people living in
Vermont.
- Approximately 2,000 people are Deaf.
- Approximately 56,000 are Hard of Hearing
- Total people with hearing loss living in
Vermont: 58,000
DHHS serves these individuals with hearing loss
to ensure they have equal access to the services of all departments,
divisions and programs within AHS.
System Advocacy
- Work closely with department
Commissioners/Directors to ensure all programs/services within
Agency of Human Services (AHS) and other agencies are accessible
to Deaf and Hard of Hearing customers
and are in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act
(ADA).
- Act as point person between AHS and the
Deaf and Hard of Hearing community by sharing information on
services, training opportunities, public hearings and other
information offered within AHS that may benefit the community.
- Work closely with different department
Commissioners/Directors in modifying policies related to
accessibility for Deaf and Hard of Hearing customers.
- Participate in boards to address
needs for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing.
- Identify gaps in service and develop
programs to meet such gaps.
Information/Referral
- Provide resources on hearing loss to AHS
staff, parents, teachers, and other service providers.
- Provide education/training on hearing
loss to AHS staff on interpreter issues, assistive devices, Deaf Culture,
communication tips, etc.
- Advise on difficult cases to AHS staff to
ensure that the Deaf, Hard of Hearing, Late Deafened and Deaf Blind
are receiving appropriate service.
Publications/Resources
For more information, contact:
Carrie Foster, Director
Deaf & Hard of Hearing Services
Agency of Human Services
Department of Disabilities, Aging & Independent Living
103 South Main Street, Weeks Building
Waterbury, VT 05671-1601
Phone: 866-410-5787 x 36255 (V)
or
802-241-3557 (TTY)
Video Phone: Carrievp.zonefish.com
E-mail: Carrie.foster@dail.state.vt.us
Please note:
When using
the term Deaf and Hard of Hearing this also includes Late
Deafened and Deaf Blind individuals.
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